UPDATE: The University of Wollongong (UOW) is pressing forward with its ambitious $250 million seniors living development at North Wollongong, a project that has sparked considerable controversy among university staff. The project, known as the Health and Wellbeing Precinct, is categorized as State Significant Development (SSD) and is primarily funded by its development partner, Keyton, a retirement village company.
UOW’s commitment includes a $20 million investment towards the project, which will encompass independent living, aged care, and wellness facilities designed to address critical regional issues such as ageing and mental health. The Southern Regional Planning Panel approved the concept plan in May 2024, despite earlier cost estimates of $173 million rising significantly over the years.
Many staff members are expressing outrage over the decision to proceed with the project, especially after the university’s recent decision to cut approximately 200 jobs due to financial constraints. Associate Professor Susan Engel, president of the National Tertiary Education Union UOW branch, emphasized the need for transparency regarding how the project’s financial demands influenced job cuts and program reductions.
“Our management is forging ahead with this project while hundreds of staff at UOW have lost their jobs in the past year,”
Engel stated. She criticized the university leadership for prioritizing a project she deemed a “legacy” of previous administrations over essential teaching and research functions.
The current plans for the development include a seven-storey residential aged care facility with 180 beds, an increase from the originally planned 120 beds. Accompanying this facility will be a child care center, marking Stage 1 of the project. Stage 2 will feature two apartment buildings, of eight and nine storeys, designed for independent living, totaling 236 apartments.
UOW clarified that it will not fund construction costs but will contribute to teaching and research spaces, green space, and infrastructure. The university argues that this project will facilitate collaboration among researchers, students, and health care providers, fostering interdisciplinary research in a “Living Lab” environment.
The project is being overseen by Paul Scully, Planning Minister and Member for Wollongong, who is responsible for the SSD approval. UOW’s plans involve commercial aged care operators committed to providing job opportunities for students and graduates as part of their operational obligations.
Engel’s comments reflect a broader skepticism among staff, with many referring to the initiative as the “VC’s retirement home.” Concerns are mounting about whether the project will genuinely benefit the university’s core mission of education and research, particularly amid ongoing financial struggles.
As UOW moves ahead with this significant undertaking, the implications for its staff and students remain uncertain. The urgency of this situation demands attention as it unfolds, with university community members calling for accountability and clarity from university leaders.
With the project set to reshape the landscape of North Wollongong, its impact on the university’s future and its workforce will be closely watched in the coming months. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
